LaPerm: Cat Breed Profile, Characteristics, and Care

The LaPerm cat is a newer cat breed—in fact, the first known LaPerm litter was born in 1982 in the United States. Best known for their distinctive appearance, the LaPerm has gently wavy to tightly curled hair, which can be short or long. Because the breed is the result of a natural genetic mutation, these cats can come in every color and coat pattern.

Learn all about the LaPerm cat breed, from its history to its care needs and more.

Breed Overview

Other Names: Dalles LaPerm

Personality: Active, friendly, curious, affectionate, playful

Weight: 6 to 10 pounds

Length: 12 to 18 inches

Coat Length: Short or long curly hair

Coat Color: All colors

Coat Patterns: All coat patterns, including solid, tabby, calico, tortoiseshell

Eye Color: Variety of colors, including copper, gold, yellow, aqua, blue, green

Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years

Hypoallergenic: No

Origin: United States

LaPerm Characteristics

The LaPerm is a medium-sized cat who takes two to three years to reach full maturity. This breed is known for its coat, which is generally wavy in short-haired LaPerms and curly in longer haired cats. Either way, the LaPerm has a very outgoing personality.

This is a cat who loves to interact and play with humans, both children and adult, before settling down for a good purr and a cuddle on the nearest lap. They generally get along with other family pets, as well.

History of the LaPerm

Although the LaPerm has a relatively short history, the origin story is fascinating. In 1982, in a cherry orchard in The Dalles, Oregon, owners of a brown tabby barn cat named Speedy noticed an interesting trait in one of her six kittens: she was completely bald, unlike her soft, brown siblings. Plus, she was small in size yet had a long body.

After about eight weeks, the kitten started to grow soft, wavy hair all over her body. Not surprisingly, she was named Curly. After Curly had matured—and the owners got to know her sweet, docile personality—she had a litter of five tabby kittens. Those kittens, too, were born completely bald but developed soft, curly coats a few months after birth.

Over the next decade, the owners, Linda and Richard Koehl, didn't control Curly's breeding or track any of the litters produced, so the number of curly haired kittens increased rapidly.

In 1992, Linda entered six of her curly-haired cats into a Cat Fanciers' Association show in Portland, Oregon. The show required a breed name for registration, so Linda registered LaPerm because the cats' coats looked like they had a permanent wave. After the show, Linda started a monitored breeding program to better track the development of LaPerm cats and to gain recognition from the world's largest cat associations.

Today, the LaPerm cat is recognized by the American Cat Fanciers Association, the Cat Fanciers' Association, and the International Cat Association.

LaPerm Care

LaPerms tend to be extremely affectionate with their close family members, and thrive in a household with or without children or other pets. Despite their higher activity levels, LaPerms are happy to cuddle up on the couch after a good play session, and they do more purring than vocalizing.

Exercise

The LaPerm breed descends from highly active barn cats, so these kitties have higher exercise needs than some other breeds. LaPerms love to chase, so games like fetch can be especially fun.

Keep your cat entertained with toys, such as crinkle balls, catnip mice, ribbon-wand "cat dancers," or electronic cat toys. These will help them exercise and keep them engaged when you don't have time for one-on-one interactions.

Shedding

Thanks to their minimal undercoat and curly hair that tends to stick to the body rather than drop to the floor, LaPerms don't shed very much, although they are not truly hypoallergenic cats. You can reduce shedding further by brushing your feline regularly.

Grooming

On the off-chance this cat does develop a mat or tangle—which is unusual even in long-haired LaPerms—gently comb it out with a slicker brush or comb.

If your LaPerm's curls need a boost, mist the coat with water from a spray bottle and gently scrunch the curls with your hands to add wave and encourage more curls.

In any cat, dental hygiene is extremely important and can help prevent the development of periodontal disease. Daily brushing is always ideal, but if you can brush your LaPerm's teeth once a week, it can offer some protection.

Be sure to check your LaPerm's ears regularly. Use a soft, cotton cloth to gently remove dirt or debris. If your cat's ears are excessively dirty, red, inflamed, or smell off, get them checked out by your veterinarian immediately. These can be signs of injury or infection.

Common Health Problems

The LaPerm is generally a healthy cat, with no tendencies towards any particular health conditions or illnesses. However, any cat can potentially develop health problems during their lifetime, and the LaPerm is no exception.

Conditions that can affect all cats with age include:

• Diabetes: This occurs when the body is unable to regulate blood sugar. Signs include weight loss and increased thirst and urination. A veterinarian can provide a treatment plan.

• Hyperthyroidism: This occurs when the thyroid produces an excessive amount of thyroid hormones. Increased thirst, urination, and appetite, as well as weight loss, are some of the symptoms.

• Kidney disease: This reduces the ability of the kidneys to function properly. Symptoms include increased thirst and urination, weight loss, and decreased appetite. A vet can guide you on how to treat it.

• Dental disease: Cats can develop oral health problems like gum disease and tooth resorption. If possible, check your cat’s mouth often at home, and have your vet examine them often for signs of dental disease that requires treatment. Brushing regularly can also be helpful in preventing problems.  

If you're concerned about your LaPerm's health, talk to your veterinarian about ways to help your cat live a long, happy, healthy life.

Appearance

In terms of size and shape, the LaPerm is a medium-sized cat with a somewhat athletic build and long legs relative to their size. But it's the coat that makes this breed special; these cats have wavy to curly hair.

Surprisingly, it is not uncommon for a LaPerm kitten to be born without any fur at all, however. Others have short hair at birth, but lose their coats within their first few weeks, starting at the top of the head. Over the next several months, the kitten grows the coat back in, and even a bald-at-birth LaPerm will generally sport a curly coat by the time they're several months old.

The fur of a LaPerm is generally curliest along the belly, at the throat, and at the base of the ears. Short-haired LaPerms usually have more wave, while long-haired LaPerms can boast tighter ringlets and curls. Long-haired LaPerms also generally have a large, curly neck ruff and a very fluffy, plumed tail.

Both long-haired and short-haired LaPerms generally have coats that stand slightly away from their bodies, giving them a fluffy, airy appearance. Their hair is soft and springy and doesn't tend to shed excessively. But these are not considered truly hypoallergenic cats.

When it comes to color, anything goes. Your LaPerm cat can have fur in any color or pattern that is genetically possible for cats, including solid, bi-color, tabby, calico, "tuxedo," tortoiseshell, or even colored "points" on the ears, face, and tail that are typically a trait of the Siamese cat.

As with the coat, a LaPerm's eye color can be any shade that's normally found in cats, including amber, green, brown, copper, blue, or eyes of two different colors.

Diet and Nutrition

Like all cats, your LaPerm requires a diet that's high in protein, low in carbohydrates, and moderate in fat. Feeding your feline a high-quality cat food that's formulated for their age is the best way to keep them healthy.

Be wary of overfeeding, however. Some cats regulate their food intake to maintain a healthy weight, but others feast until the bowl is empty, and can become overweight, which is bad for their health.

Most adult cats do well with two meals per day. Kittens need to eat more often, but in smaller amounts per meal. Your cat can enjoy a diet of all canned food, all kibble, or a mixture of both.

Occasional treats are fun for both you and your cat, but don't let them make up too much of your cat's daily calorie intake. As a very rough rule of thumb, a healthy, adult 10-pound cat should consume around 250 calories per day.

Where to Adopt or Buy a LaPerm

Because this breed is rare, LaPerm kittens from reputable breeders can be expensive, possibly costing $1,000 or more. 

In fact, there might not be any LaPerm breeders in your area at all. But you might have success finding a breeder at a cat show, especially in a larger city.

As LaPerms are not very common, you are also unlikely to find one at a rescue or shelter.

An option is checking the breeder listings on the major cat association websites, such as:

• The International Cat Association

• The Cat Fanciers’ Association

LaPerm Overview

The LaPerm is a very active, curious, and friendly cat who can be a wonderful pet for a family with children, a single adult, or anyone looking for a feline who loves interaction and cuddles, but also enjoys active play. The curly coat is definitely an attention getter, but these cats also offer a great deal of companionship and affection to their humans.

Pros of LaPerms

• Generally healthy breed

• Low-maintenance coat

• Active and affectionate

Cons of LaPerms

• High activity needs

• Can get bored if left alone for long stretches

• Rare breed

More Cat Breeds and Further Research

Before bringing any cat home, be sure to do your research and make sure the cat's needs fit your family's lifestyle. Because the LaPerm is generally low-maintenance and can get along with kids and other pets, they would make an ideal cat for a first-time cat parent. However, these cats are not easy to find.

If you're interested in breeds somewhat similar to the LaPerm, check out:

• Cornish Rex

• American Curl

• Ragamuffin

Otherwise, check out all of our other cat breed profiles.